Estate Planning

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT

It is important to make sure that your estate passes according to your wishes. Oftentimes, especially in Louisiana, this is not the case. That is why it is critical to prepare a Last Will & Testament to ensure that your wishes are followed.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

It is never too soon to plan for the unexpected. Situations may arise where your signature or consent is required but you are unable to provide it. This can be as simple as being on an extended trip out of town for work, or as devastating as a severe medical condition. In such instances, it is important to have a person who can legally act for you to make decisions regarding your property or medical needs. Powers of Attorney cover such situations and can be tailored so that they only become effective when you are unable to act for yourself.

LIVING WILL

A Living Will is a legal document that allows you to clearly state your wishes regarding medical care if you become unable to communicate those decisions yourself. It addresses preferences about life-sustaining treatments, such as resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, or artificial nutrition and hydration. By providing guidance to healthcare providers and loved ones, a living will helps ensure that medical decisions align with the your values and reduces uncertainty or conflict during difficult times. 

TRUST

A Trust is a formal arrangement in which you place assets under the control of a trustee to be managed for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. The Trust outlines how and when assets are to be distributed and can be tailored to meet specific financial, tax, or family goals. Trusts are commonly used to provide asset protection, ensure continuity of management, and facilitate the efficient transfer of property according to your wishes. 

SUCCESSIONS

Although they are not done during the planning process, successions are almost always part of an estate planning practice. Succession, often referred to as the probate process, is the legal procedure through which a deceased person’s estate is settled and distributed. During this process, a court validates the will (if one exists), appoints a personal representative, and oversees the payment of debts, taxes, and expenses before assets are transferred to heirs or beneficiaries. Succession or probate ensures that property is distributed in accordance with the law or the decedent’s wishes, while providing an orderly and legally recognized framework for resolving an estate.